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 VI

ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS

Human nature is full of contradictions, which give it much of its charm. But the character and career of Alex- ander H. Stephens seem to involve contradictions be- yond the share of most of us.

In physique he was abnormally frail, delicate, and sen- sitive, nervous sometimes to the point of hysteria ; yet he had the spirit of a gamecock, was ready for a duel when honor required it, walked right up and struck a far bigger man who had insulted him and who nearly mur- dered him in consequence. Perhaps with some bragga- docio, but with more truth, he said of himself : *' I am afraid of nothing on earth, or above the earth, or under the earth, but to do wrong." ^

He was studious by nature, longed for quiet, and soli- tude, and meditation. Yet he lived in a perpetual whirl, either drawn by a thousand activities abroad, or beset by a throng of visitors at home. " I supposed when I got this room I should be by myself, . . . but I do nothing the livelong day but jabber with each transient interlo- per who may be disposed to give me a call." ^

He was probably one of the most logical, clear-headed, determined defenders of slavery and of the thorough subordination of black to white. Yet few men have been

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